Myers open to move back to OF for good of club

SAN DIEGO -- Wil Myers is open to a move back to the outfield, should the Padres land a first baseman via trade or free agency this offseason. They've already been linked with former Royals slugger Eric Hosmer.

According to a source, the Padres' front office spoke with Myers earlier this month regarding whether he'd be comfortable abandoning first base, where he has played the past two seasons. Myers was evidently very receptive to the notion.

SAN DIEGO -- Wil Myers is open to a move back to the outfield, should the Padres land a first baseman via trade or free agency this offseason. They've already been linked with former Royals slugger Eric Hosmer.

According to a source, the Padres' front office spoke with Myers earlier this month regarding whether he'd be comfortable abandoning first base, where he has played the past two seasons. Myers was evidently very receptive to the notion.

Paraphrasing the response, Myers, according to the source, said something along the lines of, "I'd rather win games than play a certain position."

There's no evidence that Myers' answer means San Diego is any closer to signing Hosmer. Last month, team sources said the club was merely doing its "due diligence" by checking in with Hosmer's camp. Asking Myers to move to the outfield is undoubtedly part of that due diligence.

Hosmer batted .318/.385/.498 with 25 homers and won an American League Gold Glove Award for Kansas City last season. At 27, he's one of the few big-name free agents whose youth might mesh with the Padres' plan to contend in 2019 and beyond.

Financially, however, Hosmer would require a major commitment. He figures to receive a nine-figure contract this offseason, which would be the largest in club history.

In any case, one hurdle is clear. Myers, who has professed his love for playing first on numerous occasions, appears content to shift back to the outfield, where he spent his first three big league seasons.

Myers excelled in his first full season at first base in 2016, finishing among the National League Gold Glove Award finalists and ranking first in Ultimate Zone Rating at the position. But he took a major step back in '17, slumping to the bottom of that leaderboard. Myers has spent part of the offseason honing his footwork, looking to improve on his poor range numbers.

Last offseason, San Diego signed Myers to a six-year, $83 million extension, lauding him as its first baseman of the future. The Padres remain committed to that plan -- at least as long as another first baseman doesn't fall into their lap this offseason.